Love Me Like I Love You

by Willow Winters

  I grin so wide, I swear it probably stretches from ear to ear.

  She rounds the bases, and as soon as she crosses home plate, she rushes at me, throwing her arms around my neck to hug me tight.

  “I did it, Hollis!” Pride and excitement fill her voice. “I really did it!”

  “Heck yes, you did!” I squeeze her back.

  “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  She came to me a few weeks ago with a list she’d come up with of the things she wanted to accomplish before her mom forced her to get braces.

  Of course, my best friend had listed Learn how to play baseball and hit a home run so the boys will respect me on there.

  A few of the other things, like eating all the corn on the cob she could handle—bad move on her part because she ended up making herself sick—and chewing her favorite type of gum were on her list.

  There’s one thing on it I’m still not cool with.

  “That was the coolest moment of my life.” She sighs later on while we’re relaxing in the treehouse.

  The guys pretty much worshipped the ground she walked on after she proved she could hit just about any decent pitch thrown her way. I left that ball field feeling like I was a bodyguard to a celebrity or something.

  Magnolia pulls a pen off one of the shelves and draws a line through item number five on her list.

  There’s one item left to mark off.

  She turns to me, eyes pleading. “Come on, Hollis. Would you please help me with this?” She holds up the list, gently waving it. “I need to experience it. Otherwise, I’ll have to wait years.”

  I roll my eyes and laugh. “People do still kiss when they have braces, you know.”

  She straightens. “How do you know?”

  I duck my head and shrug. “Trust me, you’re makin’ a bigger deal out of it than it is.”

  Silence hangs between us, and I finally raise my eyes to hers. She shoots up to her feet, staring at me with disbelief.

  “You kissed somebody?”

  I rake a hand through my hair. “Lora Ann came over a couple of months ago and asked me for help with her math homework.”

  One blond eyebrow rises. “Guess that wasn’t all she needed your help with.” Her sharp tone has my spine stiffening.

  “Hey.” I glare at her, anger surging through me as I stand, facing her. “She’s the one who kissed me.”

  Magnolia flicks the end of her long ponytail back over her shoulder with a scowl on her face. “Oh, I’m sure you put up the fight of your life.” Her voice drips with sarcasm.

  I step closer, my tone hard. “Look, I didn’t bring it up because it’s not important. She kissed me. I’d never be caught dead kissin’ someone who treats you like shit.” It was bad enough my dad made me be a gentleman and help her with her homework.

  Of course, after Lora Ann left and I told him why I hadn’t wanted to help her—because she’s one of the main people who tease Magnolia about her teeth—he felt bad and said next time he’d cover for me and give an excuse.

  She stares at me and I stare back, neither of us speaking. Finally, she whispers, “You cussed.”

  My laugh is harsh. “That’s all you’ve gotta say?” I shake my head in frustration and stare down at the floor.

  God, this sucks. We’ve never fought like this before. I mean, sure, we’ve had disagreements, but it was something simple like whether we should go bike riding first or head to the country club pool.

  Nothing like this.

  Her hand finds my clenched fist, and she gently uncurls my fingers to take my hand in hers. “Hollis,” she says softly. “I’m sorry.”

  I exhale loudly. “Me, too.” I raise my eyes to hers, startled by how close she is now. Her blue eyes study me.

  “I just thought—” She breaks off and looks away before refocusing on me. “Would you please just help me cross that off my list? It’ll only take a second. I promise.” When I hesitate, she tips her head to the side. “Or I might accidentally slip up and tell your dad you cussed.”

  I raise my eyebrows with a smirk. “We both know who taught me to cuss.”

  With an exasperated sound, she says, “Fine. Then I’ll tell your mom.”

  That wipes away my smirk. Because my mom’s a different story. I’d rather steer clear of her altogether.

  Magnolia shoves at me half-heartedly with a small smile. “Oh, for the love of all that’s holy… You know I’d never say a word to your mom.” Her features turn serious. “Now, please? Will you help me? All you have to do is stay still.”

  I scowl. “Stay still?” I tip my head to the side. “I reckon you’ve been googlin’ the wrong thing if you think that’s how kissin’s done.”

  She rolls her eyes and closes the distance between us. Resting her palms on my shoulders, she’s closer than she normally is, and it makes me nervous.

  Lifting to her tiptoes, she brings her mouth closer to mine. “Just give me a sec.” Then her lips press lightly over mine, and a zing of electricity shoots through me. My hands move to her waist, gently holding her in place.

  This is totally different than when Lora Ann ambushed me. With her, I’d felt nothing except the wetness from her sloppy excuse for a kiss. But Magnolia… There’s nothing sloppy about this.

  She backs away, her eyes opening, but I stop her with my hands on her waist.

  “I, uh, think you should try it again.” I clear my throat, trying to play it cool. “Just because it’ll be so long. Like you said.”

  Her eyes search my face for a moment before she nods slowly. “Okay,” she says in a whisper.

  I dip my head and brush my lips against hers, the contact making my heart thud like crazy in my chest. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I can’t stop kissing her. This might not actually be my first kiss, but for me, this is the real one. The kind Magnolia always talked about back when she’d make me play wedding with her. A kiss that’s perfect.

  I don’t open my eyes, but whisper against her lips, “Magnolia, I—”

  The vibrating sound has us jumping apart, and Magnolia spins around to where she laid her cell phone.

  I scrub my hands over my face and wait for her to get off the phone with her mom.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I will.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “No, I’m not too dirty.”

  “I’ll be right home.”

  Finally, she ends the call. She stares down at her cell phone for a long moment before slowly turning to face me.

  “Everythin’ okay?”

  She nods before suddenly a sunny grin forms on her face. She snags the pen and marks off her list before meeting my eyes.

  “Thanks, Hollis.” She steps up and wraps her arms around me, giving me a brief hug. “You helped me mark everythin’ off my list.” She backs away. “I have to run home. See you tomorrow, okay?”

  She disappears out the door before I can find any words.

  She thanked me for helping her get through her list. Including that kiss. Her first.

  She acted like it was nothing.

  “Because it probably wasn’t,” I mutter, disgusted with myself.

  I toss myself down onto one of the large cushions and stare up at the ceiling. “You got all bent out of shape over somethin’ that didn’t even faze her.”

  I need to let it go.

  Even though, deep down, a small part of me tries to put up one heck of a fight not to.

  Magnolia

  TWELVE YEARS OLD

  I race through Hollis’ backyard like those brain-eating zombies we used to pretend were chasing after us when we were younger actually are chasing me. My heart races, thudding so loud it echoes in my ears.

  I kissed Hollis.

  I kissed my best friend.

  On the lips.

  Everyone else I know has had their first kiss.

  Except me.

  I trust Hollis, which is why I wanted him to be my first kiss. I knew he wouldn’t make fun of me
if I did it wrong or tease me afterward. It would be like anything else he’d taught me to do.

  Boy, was I wrong.

  I rush inside my house and close the door behind me. Hurriedly, I untie and remove my shoes, carrying them as my feet move quickly down the hall to my room.

  Please let me avoid my mother, I chant silently. My face feels hot, and I swear, the woman is like a bloodhound. I’m afraid she’ll know exactly what I just did.

  “Magnolia Mae!” Her sharp tone causes me to practically skid to a stop on the hardwood floors. “Ladies do not run inside a house.” Then she adds, “Least of all in filthy-lookin’ socks.”

  “Sorry, Mother.” I hesitate. “I just wanted to get a shower and be cleaned up for dinner.” There. That should please her since she told me we’re hosting the local congressman and his wife.

  “Turn around and let me see you.” She sounds suspicious, and I barely hold back a cringe.

  I turn and face her, praying I don’t show any sign of what I was doing just moments ago. When her eyes narrow on my mouth, panic rushes through me.

  She steps closer and purses her lips. “You should really be more careful. Your lips are chapped from spendin’ so much time outside with”—her next words drip with disgust—“that boy.”

  “I’ll be sure to use some lip balm.”

  Her eyes snap to mine, and she nods. “You’d best do that.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I spin around and head down the hall to my room.

  Once I’m inside my bedroom, I race to my en-suite bathroom and check my reflection in the mirror.

  Oh, my gosh. Lips reddened, my cheeks are flushed, and my eyes even look a little wild.

  I trace the tip of my index finger along my lips as a sense of wonder settles over me. If that’s what kisses are like, I can’t wait to do it again. Especially with someone I really like and who likes me back, of course.

  Not like Hollis because he doesn’t think of me like that. I mean, I basically begged him to kiss me.

  I just hope my next kiss is even more amazing than my first.

  As soon as I step out of the bathroom, I notice my mother standing in the doorway of my room. I stop short, just now realizing what I didn’t see when I’d rushed in here.

  My mouth parts in a silent gasp. My entire room is…

  “I thought since you’re now a woman, you’d want your room to be reflective of that.”

  Gone. Everything I loved is gone from my room.

  The small model cars Hollis had bought me for my birthdays and helped me put together. The baseball I hit the home run with when I challenged the guys at the ball fields. He’d written on it with a permanent marker and dated it.

  It’s all missing. Everything that meant anything to me. Even my bedding is different, for heaven’s sake.

  My throat feels like it’s closing up. I force out the words. “Where are my things?”

  “I had Miranda dispose of them.” She wrinkles her nose in distaste. “It was mostly cheap little trinkets.”

  I struggle to fill my lungs with air. Both panic and an ache fill my chest at the fact she’s trashed my belongings.

  “Now, Magnolia”—her voice is condescending—“a young lady like you deserves keepsakes that don’t come from the dollar store.” She raises her eyebrows in question. “Isn’t that right?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I reply robotically.

  An edge of her mouth lifts, pleased with my response. She turns around and heads for the door. “Please don’t bring any more of that trash in this house.”

  When I don’t immediately answer, she hovers in the doorway, back to me, but her shoulders stiffen.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I answer.

  Without another word, she disappears from sight, leaving me to slowly inspect my room again.

  It looks clean, empty of any life. Even the copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets that Hollis got me for Christmas last year is gone. Most likely because it was one of the inexpensive copies.

  Sadness floods me, and I press my fingers against my mouth to fight it. Hollis had written in that book of sonnets—right inside the front cover—and I cherished it.

  To my best friend, who’s beautiful just the way she is.

  I knew what he meant without him coming out and saying it. He’d always gotten so upset about my mother commenting about my teeth. He’d even told me he loved my smile with the gap. That it made me Magnolia.

  I didn’t care one bit that the paperback copy he’d given me only cost a few dollars. It was something he knew I loved, and he’d used his own money to buy it for me.

  A thought hits me, and I rush to my dresser. Tugging open the middle drawer, as soon as I see the contents, my entire body deflates.

  The old T-shirts Hollis gave me are gone, too.

  I lower myself to a heap on the carpeted floor and close my eyes. Tears silently race down my cheeks. I wrap my arms around myself, silently asking why? Why would my mother do this? Why couldn’t she ask me first?

  Why can’t she accept that Hollis is my best friend?

  I’m not sure how long I sit like this until a light touch on my shoulder has me opening my eyes.

  Miranda squats down beside me. She reaches out to gently brush away my tears, and whispers, “I have some of your things in my trunk.”

  My eyes grow wide, and my lips part, but our housekeeper shakes her head to stop me. With a quick glance at my open door, she turns back to me and whispers once again. “I’ll give them to Hollis.”

  I nod and mouth a silent “Thank you.” She nods with a tiny, sad smile before she leaves my room.

  I’m able to breathe a little easier knowing my stuff will be safe with Hollis.

  LATER THAT NIGHT…

  A text comes through just when I’m crawling into bed.

  Hollis: Can you open your window quietly?

  I frown at the odd message.

  Me: Why?

  Hollis: Just do it, please. And turn off your light first.

  Me: Okay, hold on.

  After flicking the switch to turn off the light and quietly locking my bedroom door, I tiptoe across my room. I’m not sure what Hollis is up to, but I don’t want my mother to catch me off guard. I still feel raw after what happened this afternoon.

  Grateful my bedroom is on the opposite side of the house as my parents’ and faces the backyard, I pull the string to raise the blinds and carefully unlock and raise my window.

  I whisper-yell, “Hollis?” He stands there on the grass in a pair of pajama pants, plain cotton T-shirt, and flip-flops.

  “Shh!”

  He reaches for the windowsill, lifts himself up, and climbs through my bedroom window with ease. He lands on his feet, carefully closes the window, and turns to face me. The hint of moonlight peeking from behind the clouds behind him makes him look like some sort of fierce archangel.

  “Miranda gave me a bag with your things.” His voice is hushed. Dark brows slant fiercely.

  I lower my eyes to my bare feet, concentrating on my painted toenails. I’m not sure why I feel embarrassed, but I do. I mean, I’m twelve years old, and my mother won’t allow me to keep a baseball or model cars or even a copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets in my room. She acted like I was hoarding drugs or something.

  His fingers beneath my chin steer me to meet his gaze. When he says my name softly, in a low, gentle tone, I practically throw myself into his arms.

  The thing with Hollis, though, is that I never have to wonder if he’ll be ready, if he’ll be okay with me stealing some comfort from him.

  He always is.

  His arms wrap around me tight, snug like he’s not prepared to let go anytime soon. His body heat warms my palms at his shoulder blades. When he tenses, I worry that I’ve done something wrong only to realize I’m crying, and my tears are soaking the front of his cotton T-shirt.

  He runs his hands over my back soothingly. “It’ll be okay,” he whispers against the top of my head, his breath feathering strands of my hair. �
�I’ve got you.”

  Vaguely, I realize he shifts and loops an arm beneath my legs, hefting me into his arms. He carries me to my bed and sets me down. Lifting the covers for me to get situated beneath them, he says, “Gotta get you tucked in.”

  I scoot in and let him tuck the covers around me. When he leans back, I panic.

  “Wait!” I hiss quietly. I swallow hard. “Can you…lie with me for a minute?”

  He hesitates and just when I think he’s fixing to say no, he slides his cell phone from the pocket of his pajama pants. “Let me set the alarm, just in case I fall asleep.”

  My panic eases as he taps on the screen of his phone before circling the bed to slip off his flip-flops and settles on top of the comforter. I instantly move to curl up at his side. When his arm curves around me, holding me close, I rest a palm over the center of his chest where his heart thumps in soothing, steady beats.

  “I never wanna be like her.” I swallow hard. “Please promise me you won’t let me turn into her.”

  “You could never be like her.” With his next words, I detect a hint of a smile in his voice. “You’re too good. Sweet. Kind. Smart.” He presses a kiss to my hair. “I knew it the instant we met.”

  We lie here in comfortable silence while the moonlight casts shadows inside my room.

  “Thanks for keepin’ my stuff safe.”

  “I put everythin’ in the treehouse. It’ll stay there as long as you want.”

  A beat of silence passes, and my eyelids grow heavy as sleep threatens to pull me under.

  “I love you, Hollis,” I whisper, my words a bit slurred as I close my eyes. Just for a moment, I promise myself. I’ll close them for a second, but I don’t want to fall asleep just yet. I feel so safe right now.

  “But not like that,” he finishes softly. Then, with his lips pressed against my hair, he whispers, “Go to sleep, Magnolia. Everythin’ll be fine.”

  With him holding me tight like this, I know he’s telling the truth.

  Magnolia